I went to Disneys refurb schedule because the thing about test track was driving me crazy.
Oops.....Not Disneys site but Touring Plans.
http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/closures
This has test track listed as opening on Nov. 30th. I'm really hoping it is up and running earlier in the month.
But look at the Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid ride. That says Dec. 1st. I'm really hoping this opens earlier as well.
I don't put a lot of confidence in those dates and I think they are pure guesses! But here is hoping TT will be open in November, I am hoping for soft openings of it and FLE by early/mid November. I think at the very least we should expect soft opening of FLE by mid November to have it all set and ready for Thanksgiving. That is what I am hoping anyhow!!!
So, I kind of jumped the gun and made my reservations but I feel bad because I have an online buddy that is a
travel agent and I really want her to get the commission. I was afraid that AoA would be all booked before she got to it. So is it too late to keep my reservation but add an agent?! Is there any real advantage to having an agent other than the agent gets money? We aren't doing any ADR, only QS.
You can easily transfer your reservation to her.
No no other advantage other then the agent gets money..... and you already have FDing? right? other then going through your agent not disney to change your ressie or add discounts, there is no other advantage
Have to disagree with this too. TA's offer a lot and not just saying that because I am one (I am new), but my experiences with them have been great- handling all those little details, booking ADRs for me, and letting me know when a discount came out that I didn't know about. They had already applied a discount to my package before I knew it was available. It was awesome! Plus as J said, many offer wonderful advice, will do your itinerary planning for you and offer little gifts. I know I send most of my clients a little treat before their trip.
Plus it doesn't cost you a thing.....instead of Disney getting the money direct, a small business gets some instead. Some prefer doing it themselves and that's fine too. If you make a lot of changes and are in the know on everything, and prefer to have "control", then sometimes booking yourself is the better route. But if you can help a friend, I say do it!
Long time Disney goer but this is a first for us
We booked our package w/
free dining for Friday Nov 9th which is when the pin starts. The flights are much cheaper on Thursday afternoon vs. Friday morning, so much so that well be saving money by booking a separate package for the one night stay the night before the real package starts. How difficult (if at all) is it to check in on Thursday night for the one night, checkout the following morning and then check back in for the actual package w/ FD? I hope I spelt it out enough for people to understand what were doing.
Any advice is welcome from one Dis nut to another!
We are planning this exactly- checking into AoA on a Thursday, and out on a Friday where we move to our DVC home- BLT for 8 nights. I've never done a split stay, so should be interesting, but I know it is pretty easy. The hotel will move your bags for you even, then just pop over when you can to check in. You don't have to check in first thing in the morning either, rooms aren't guaranteed ready until 3 or 4pm anyhow.
OK! II'm going to start working on itinerary. First day will be Animal Kingdom. What should we do there FIRST? What attractions are best and whichthe are allstaying ages? I sure don't want the first ride to be something my younger kids have toa sit out. I think we are going to eat lunch at Flametree. What to do before? After? What are your favorite snack locations? Should we do dinner while still at Animal Kingdom? Yak and Yeti maybe? Our kids will be 8, 4, and 1½. When Animal Kingdom closes we are heading over to the campfire sing a long with Chip n Dale. Has anyone participated in this? Did your kids love it?
It depends on the kids ages and your preferences. We usually send a runner to get fastpasses for EE first, then the rest of us head to Safari and meet up there to ride standby. Animals are more active in the am and the lines for Safari get long later, so do it first. Then you can use your EE fastpass for the adults/older kids after. Grab another FP as soon as you can- for Kali or Dinosaur. WE like to head to the Dinoland area after that and hit Dinosaur, Triceratop Spin and Primeval Whirl. My 4you did Dino just fine, but too short for Primeval Whirl.
The playground over there is fabulous- definitely plan some time there- i bet all the kids will enjoy that. After that, we play it by ear, usually trying to do one of the shows- Lion King or Nemo. Be sure and check the times guide for the show times. often they don't start until after 10am and wrap up early. Flame Tree is a great lunch choice- there is a great seating area on the water on a patio that is fabulous! check it out. You will probably do one or both shows after lunch. YOu can hit Camp Minnie Mickey before/after Lion King and also Tough to be a Bug. We also really love both walking trails. The train to the back is fun, but we don't do it each trip- it just has a petting zoo and some good character meets (Jiminy Cricket, Pocahontas, etc.).
I would skip dinner at AK unless you really want to try Y&Y. I hear it is good. You could also do dinner at your resort or Trail's End buffet at Fort Wilderness before the sing along!
